A SYNAGOGUE is to be demolished and rebuilt to avoid a spiralling repairs bill.

A SYNAGOGUE is to be demolished and rebuilt to avoid a spiralling repairs bill.

Trustees at Allerton Synagogue in Mather Avenue, which has a congregation of around 200 families, faced spending more than £500,000 on repairs.

Now they have struck a £3m deal with a housing company to bulldoze the existing building and replace it with a smaller, modern one.

Liverpool Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) will also build a sheltered housing complex for elderly Jews on part of the Booker Avenue site.

It is hoped the block of 24 one and two-bedroom flats will help ease a massive shortage of purpose-built accommodation for older people in south Liverpool.

According to LJHA, Allerton Synagogue was built in the early 1950s when the Jewish community was much larger and more active than it is now.

A report to Liverpool council's planning department says: "It is increasingly the case that this section of the community requires a higher level of support, often while occupying large detached houses now too large for their needs or means.

"For many years, the Jewish community has moved to the southern suburbs such as Childwall and Allerton, which are within walking distance of a synagogue.

"As a result, LJHA receives requests for housing it is unable to meet from older residents in these areas reluctant to move away from their friends and families.

"The proposed development provides an excellent opportunity to meet these needs."

Allerton councillor Flo Clucas, executive member for housing, said: "Building a smaller synagogue is an excellent idea, while the housing complex will allow residents to maintain their independence."